In their last three league outings they have leaked eight goals and scored just one.

And with only Ross County beneath them in the table it’s their lowest position since Stuart McCall took charge.

Such an alarming downward spiral draws comparisons with the Premiership demise of Hibs last season. But Hammell is adamant the international break is the Fir Park side’s chance to bury all talk of relegation.

He said: “We’re not thinking about that but we want to be in a better position, no doubt about it.

“We have a good enough squad to be in a better position but it’s about climbing up the league as soon as possible.

“We need to take a breath, figure out what’s going on and put it right. We all need to stand up and be big characters. There’s no hiding place.

“We are better than the position we find ourselves in but we deserve to be there because the results haven’t been good enough.

“We have a couple of weeks now to put it right and really come back and show people how good a team we can be.

“It’s still early doors so it’s still quite tight. If you do put that little run together you will go shooting up the league.

“We’ve had spells in the past few seasons where we have gone on runs without losing. Hopefully we can put a run like that together. We have a couple of weeks to take stock and come out and show a lot of character.”

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It had needed a stunning stop from Scott Fox from a Henrik Ojamaa header to keep Partick on level terms before they pushed down on the pedal. Well’s lack of creative threat in the wide areas as well as a one-dimensional approach by knocking aimless balls into the channels never looked like hauling them back into the match.

It was Partick who had the players prepared to get on the ball and pick their passes with more confidence and a sweeping move down the right saw Stephen O’Donnell deliver for Kris Doolan to stab in a second for the Jags in 63 minutes.

The traditional Thistle wobble was just around the corner as Motherwell sub Lionel Ainsworth cracked a 35-yarder into the top corner and there was a spell of Jags jitters as the Lanarkshire side suddenly looked capable of taking a point.

But those nerves were settled eight minutes from time when O’Donnell raced clear on the break to slide a shot past Dan Twardzik to make it three.

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The challenge now for Well is to make sure this losing streak doesn’t become a chronic state which defines their season and Hammell is convinced they have the players to pull themselves out of their tailspin.

He said: “Everyone must take responsibility. The experienced lads especially have to step up and be counted and be out there and be brave. Instead of going hiding and hoping we are going to do better we go out there and do it. It won’t be easy. It’s tough speaking to you because we’ve just lost the game.

“But that’s what’s ahead of us and we need to face it head on.

“You’re going to get people upset at results. That’s part and parcel at any club. It’s important we stick together. We need to attack it as a team, fans included, so that’s the way to go but it is a frustrating time, no doubt.”

McCall also called for character from his side and lamented a lack of luck in recent weeks.

He said: “We need a result to turn but we are where we deserve to be. We’ve just got to dig in, dig deep, have belief in each other.

“I don’t think it was lack of effort or desire.

“We got done on a counter-attack goal and it gave them a lead. When you’re on a run such as we are you need to get the first goal and we didn’t.”

Jags boss Alan Archibald was thrilled with points that buried the memory of their display and defeat at Kilmarnock.

He said: “We let ourselves down badly last week. We didn’t work hard enough and today we did do that and it allowed us to play and score good goals. It was a great team performance.”

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Stephen Mokoka won yesterday's Great Scottish Run. What nationality is he?